Planning
A learning process is consisting on the standard elements described in detail in the During section. No matter if it's lasting several days, some hours, or only one hour, the working conditions need to be clarified, or learners need to be enabled to involve their qualities, curiosity and expertise.
At several stages of a longer process they need as well opportunities to reflect on their questions, or assess their learning. Similar, at the end of the process a final reflection should take place, now more focusing on the learning outcome, its relevance for their future and on the evaluation of the learning process they were into. Finally the learning outcome or competency development needs to be documented and described (by learners and facilitators).
The Four Process Dynamics in a Workshop or Training
Planning a workshop or seminar means taking into account different process dynamics. The learning as an activity is curricular, the group dynamics is evolving, the topical concept is structured, creative thinking requires methodological alternation.
1 Curricular Nature of Learning
The first is the curricular nature of learning as a circle between experience, reflection and conceptualization, Therefore, a process needs to foresee place for regular experience and regular reflection/assessment. In this picture the red stripes symbolize such regular self-observation and reasoning phases.
2 Divergence and Convergence
Second, a learning process is oscillating between two opposite ways of thinking. Divergent thinking is opening the mind toward different impulses, it is rather open-ended and explorative. Convergent thinking is narrowing our thinking, it's logical and directed toward a conclusion or result. The interplay between divergence and convergence is characterizing the whole process and as well explaining the dynamics in smaller units on a micro-level. One approach to satisfy dimensions is to mix and alternate methodology.
3 Content Order
Third, the order of the topical aspects of a learning event is shaping the processm often in a linear way. The topical string is often the only clear described program aspect, in example in a program schedule: Like the key aspects of a day, of a part of a day, or of an unit.
4 Group Dynamics
Fourth, the group dynamics needs to be taken into consideration. In particular, when a group is starting together, the phases of group development claim their space from group formation to storming, then norming toward finding into a performing mode. In order to achieve this, consider the idea of Cooperative Learning, team building measures at the beginning and recognize, that probably higher group performance will be possible during the later steps of a process.
Articles, Checklists and Methods
- Planning
- Planning goal, topic, method
- Five fingers–five fields of needs
- Checklist: Five fields of needs
- Five fingers–expectations
- Planning with Key Competencies
- Key Competency Profile
- Method Mix
- Didactical Questions for Preparation of an International Meeting
- Diversity-Aware Language and Material
- Checklist: Diversity and Language
- Empathy Map
- Designing a persona
- Helping to plan community work
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